KIEV, UKRAINE — After the bloodiest day in Ukraine's two-month-old uprising, protesters are gearing up for a long and potentially brutal fight with riot police. They packed bags full of fresh snow in front of barricades on Independence Square and duct-taped thick magazines and pieces of plastics to their shins and forearms.

At least two protesters were shot and killed early Wednesday. A third reportedly fell to his death from atop a colonnade after police beat him with truncheons. Late in the day, medical workers said four protesters were shot to death, but the authorities have not confirmed the additional deaths.

Protesters at the scene told Mashable they saw a sniper fire the shots from a nearby rooftop. One of the men took a bullet to the heart, according to Oleg Musiy, a medical services coordinator for the protest movement. The other man was shot in the head and neck up to four times, he said. It’s unclear whether the bullets were rubber or metal. However, Musiy said “it is impossible” for those wounds to have been caused by rubber bullets.

The violence kicked off just before sunrise when masked protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and stones at police, who, in turn, heaved flash grenades and tear gas at protesters and fired rubber bullets indiscriminately into a crowd of about 300.

Opposition politicians and civil society leaders immediately called for a general mobilization. Within an hour, thousands of protesters took to the city’s central streets. At least 1,000 came up against riot police near the cabinet building before police forcibly drove them back to Independence Square, the epicenter of the "Euromaidan" protests, as they are called.

For the next several hours, police and protesters pushed each other up and down Hrushevskoho Street. Several dozen men burned tires in the roadway to block the visibility of police forces. For much of the afternoon thick, black smoke filled the area, accompanied by bursts of shotgun fire from police.

Violence between the two groups has escalated in recent days, but Wednesday's events were no doubt the most violent and worrisome since protests began in November.

Opposition leaders met with President Yanukovych Wednesday at the Presidential Administration building, mere blocks from Wednesday's clashes. But the meeting yielded no agreement on a way out of the current conflict.

Addressing some 50,000 people from the Euromaidan main stage, opposition leader Vitali Klitschko said they received no reaction from Yanukovych. Concessions to the demands laid out by civil society, too, were ignored.

“We didn’t hear any response to our demand for an early presidential election,” he said. “The cabinet’s dismissal is possible, but the issue should be resolved at the Rada’s [Ukraine’s parliament] coming session."

Speaking to the president directly, Klitschko said he knew that he was watching.

“Early elections will change the situation without spilling any blood,” he said. “Listen to your people, don’t ignore them. If you don’t hear the people, they will do everything to be heard.”

“If the president doesn’t make a step forward to resolve the conflict, we will launch our offensive. There is no other way out,” Klitschko added.

Yatseniuk gave the president a 24-hour deadline to offer concessions, or else face an escalation on the part of protesters.

“Tomorrow we will go forward together. And if it’s a bullet in the forehead, then it’s a bullet in the forehead," Yatseniuk said. "Today we're defending maidan. Viktor Yanukovych, there are 24 hours left, make the decision — I've already made mine.”

Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that it had detained 70 protesters involved in today's clashes and were looking into charging them under new riot laws that provide for prison terms of up to 15 years.

The country's three largest political opposition parties, Arseniy Yatseniuk's Batkivshchyna Party, Klitschko's Ukrainian Democratic Alliance For Reform and Oleh Tiahnybok's Svoboda Party, have all expressed outrage over the fatal shootings of the two demonstrators.

Ukrainian officials denied their involvement in the protesters' deaths. In a speech to his cabinet, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov took a hard line against the protests, according to Reuters, and seemed to suggest a further crackdown.

“Terrorists from the 'Maidan' seized dozens of people and beat them,” he said. “I am officially stating that these are criminals who must answer for their action."

The United States began targeted sanctions in the form revoked visas of top Ukrainian officials they believe ordered police violence against protesters in November and December.

Because of U.S. confidentiality laws, the names of the officials who had their visas revoked would not be released publicly.

Rioters Attack Police Bus

Protesters attack a riot police bus in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Protesters Gather in Central Kiev

Protesters clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Rioters Burn Cars

Protesters burn car tires as they clash with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.

Image: Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Radical Activists Attack Police With Sticks

Protesters scream during a clash with riot police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses.

Image: Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press

Rioters Throw Stones

An elderly protestor prepares to throw a stone, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades were heard in the freezing air as police tried to quell anti-government street protests.

Image: Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Ukraine Protester Stands on Fiery Scene

A protester stands on top of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. After a night of vicious street battles, anti-government protesters and police clashed again Monday in Ukraine's capital. Hundreds of protesters, many wearing balaclavas, hurled rocks and stun grenades. Police responded with tear gas.

Image: Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Protesters Erect Barricades

Protesters clash with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles and other materials in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades can be heard in the freezing air as police try to quell anti-government street protests.

Image: Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Pro-European Union Activists Guard Their Tents

Pro-European Union activists stand in front of a barricade of their tent camp to protect it in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014. About seventy people who oppose demonstrators in Kiev came to the protester's tent camp to destroy it. Ukraine’s president on Friday ignored sharp Western criticism and approved controversial anti-protest legislation aimed at quashing massive anti-government demonstrations which have rocked Kiev for nearly two months.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Protester Shields Barricade

A pro-European Union activist stands in front of a barricade during clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Riot Policeman Targeted With Stones

A riot policeman picks up a stone while in front of him a police riot shield burns from a thrown petrol bomb in the main square of Ukraine's capital Kiev Monday Jan. 20 2014 as police and protesters clashed violently for a second day.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Protesters Hold Their Ground Against Police

Riot police officers clash with anti-government protesters in central Kiev, Ukraine, early Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Rioter Runs Through Protest

A protester runs during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.

Image: Evgeny Feldman/Associated Press

Priests Pray Over Riots

Orthodox priests pray as they stand between pro-European Union activists and police lines in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Protester Swings Baton Toward Police

A protester swings a baton towards a burning police bus, in front of him, during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic?s political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.

Barricades Are Restored

Pro-European Union activists restore barricades after night clashes with police in central Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Burning Flares Tossed Into Crowd

A protester throws a burning flare during clashes with police, in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. Hundreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash anti-government demonstrations. The violent scenes further escalated this ex-Soviet republic's political crisis and showed a rift among opposition leaders, one of whom fought bravely to stop the violence, while others condemned the events from afar.

Image: Evgeny Feldman/Associated Press

Torched Vehicle in Kiev

Seen through a vehicle torched by protesters overnight, police officers block a street during unrest in central Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Protesters erected barricades from charred vehicles in central Kiev as the sound of stun grenades pierced the freezing air, after a night of rioting.

Activist Speaks With Police

A pro-European Union activist speaks to police officers as they block a street in central Kiev, Ukraine,Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Anti-government protesters have held their ground through a night of violent street clashes in the Ukrainian capital, despite police moving in to dismantle barricades erected in a street leading to government offices. Police attempted to move in on the protest camp early Tuesday, but faced fierce resistance from demonstrators who tossed fire bombs and stones in their direction.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

Mass Riot Turns Into Fiery Scene

A protester sprays fire in the direction of the riot police during clashes in the centre of Kiev on January 20, 2014. EU foreign ministers on January 20 deplored violent protests in Kiev, saying the government was at fault for passing a package of repressive laws in an effort to tame pro-EU demonstrations. In Kiev on January 20, protesters were locked in a tense stand-off with security forces after hours of unprecedented clashes deep into the night left dozens wounded and parts of the city centre resembling a battlefield.

Image: Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images

Protestors Call for "Help"

Protesters wearing headbands reading "Help" shout slogans during an action entitled "Impose sanctions - stop the violence" in front of the European Union delegation in Ukraine in Kiev of January 20, 2014. Participants of the rally urged the European Union to immediately impose personal sanctions for those responsible for the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists, as well as involved in the adoption of unconstitutional laws in Ukraine that violate fundamental human rights. Radical opposition protesters on January 20 battled Ukrainian police in new clashes after bloody fighting the day earlier wounded more than 200 people amid mounting fury over draconian new anti-protest laws.

Image: Yuriy Kirnichny/AFP/Getty Images

Bloody Clashes Continue in Kiev

Protesters clash with police in central Kiev on January 20, 2014. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday warned the bloody clashes between protesters and police threatened all of Ukraine as new fighting rocked the capital Kiev. The 63-year-old leader stressed that he had previously allowed protests against his decision to ditch a key pact with the EU to take place, but now his patience might be running out.

Image: Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images

Protester Protects the Barricade

A protester smokes at the barricade in front of armour-clad security forces blocking access to the Verkhovna Rada parliament in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.

Image: Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images

Woman Records the Riots

A woman takes a picture with a tablet of another demonstrator in front of the background of burned out police trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.

Image: Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images

Waving the Ukrainian Flag

A protester wrapped in Ukrainian flag walks between wreckages of a burnt trucks after violent clashes in central Kiev on January 21, 2014. A new set of laws, which ban nearly all forms of protest in the ex-Soviet country and have enraged demonstrators, were officially published in the newspaper of the Ukranian parliament after a warning from President Viktor Yanukovych that the violence threatened the entire country.

Image: Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty Images

A Wall Against Police

Protesters reinforce their barricade in Kiev on January 21, 2014 during clashing break of the opposition and the police. Russia on Tuesday warned the situation in Ukraine was spiralling out of control after a second night of violent clashes between pro-EU protesters and security forces in the centre of Kiev.

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